Ribbon rod assembly

ABSTRACT

A ribbon rod assembly for hanging and supporting a fabric such that complete vertical folds are formed is disclosed. The ribbon rod assembly includes a ribbon rod body having a curved portion defining a plurality of opposing curves interposed between a pair of end portions adapted to directly engage a curtain rod, window header, ceiling and/or wall using one or more end brackets.

FIELD

This document relates to a ribbon rod assembly, and more particularly toa ribbon rod assembly for hanging and supporting fabric in a manner thatforms complete vertical folds in the fabric.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the ribbon rod assembly may include a ribbon rod body,the ribbon rod body having a curved portion defining a plurality ofundulating opposing curves interposed between first and second endportions, the first end portion defining a terminal slot and a lateralcurving portion, while the second end portion defines an terminal slotand a lateral slot; and a pair of end brackets adapted to engage eitherthe first or second end portions, each of said pair of end bracketsdefining an L-shaped body with one portion of the L-shaped body beingengaged to the ribbon rod body and another portion of the L-shaped bodybeing engaged to a support surface.

In another embodiment, the ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement mayinclude a ribbon rod body having an undulating wave-like configurationwith a plurality of opposing curves interposed between opposing endportions with one of the end portions defining a terminal slot andlateral slot while the other of the end portions defining a terminalslot and a lateral curving slot; and a fabric adapted for engagementwith the ribbon rod body, the fabric defining at least one sewn-inpocket defined along the length of the fabric, the at least one sewn-inpocket being adapted for engagement with the plurality of opposingcurves of the ribbon rod body such that the upper portion and said lowerportion of the fabric define vertical folds.

In one embodiment, a method of hanging and supporting a fabric to acurtain rod may include: providing a ribbon rod body having anundulating wave-like configuration with a plurality of opposing curvesinterposed between opposing end portions with one of the end portionsdefining at least a lateral slot while the other of the end portionsdefining at least a lateral curving portion; providing a fabric defininga sewn-in pocket extending along the length of the fabric; providing apair of end brackets, each of the pair of end brackets defining anL-shaped body having a support portion in communication with a hangingportion; inserting either one of the first or second end portions of theribbon rod body through the sewn-in pocket of the fabric until theplurality of opposing curves is fully disposed along the length of thefabric; and securing at least one of the pair of end brackets to eitherone of the first or second end portions and then securing the at leastone of the end brackets to a support surface.

Implementation of the above embodiments may include one or more of thefollowing features:

The ribbon rod assembly according to claim Al, wherein the lateralcurving slot further defines a smaller curved portion in communicationwith a larger curved portion.

The lateral curving slot is adapted to be engaged to the curtain rod.

The larger curved portion is adapted to be engaged to the curtain rod.

One portion of the L-shaped body engaged to the ribbon rod body is asupport portion.

Another portion of the L-shaped body engaged to the support surface is ahanging portion.

One portion of the L-shaped body defines a plurality of holes.

At least one retention hook is adapted to engage at least one of theplurality of holes for supporting the ribbon rod body to a wall.

A portion of the at least one retention hook is adapted to be insertedthrough a wall.

The support portion includes a pair of opposing depending flanges thatcollectively define a channel.

The channel is adapted to engage the first or second end portions of theribbon rod body when engaging the ribbon rod body to the end bracket.

The support portion defines first and second holes, wherein thealignment and engagement of the first hole with either the lateral slotor the lateral curving slot places the first or second end portion in afully inserted position relative to the end bracket.

The alignment and engagement of the second hole with either the lateralslot or the lateral curving slot places the first or second end portionin a partially inserted position relative to the end bracket.

The alignment and engagement of the second hole with either the lateralslot or the lateral curving slot places the first or second end portionin a partially inserted position relative to the end bracket.

The fabric defines an upper portion and a lower portion with the upperportion defining a sewn pocket adapted to engage the ribbon rod body.

The lower portion defines a sewn-in pocket adapted to engage the ribbonrod body.

The opposing end portions are adapted to engage a pair of end brackets,the pair of end brackets each having a body including a securing portionand a hanging portion, the securing portion adapted to engage a ceilingand the hanging portion adapted to engage the ribbon rod body.

Additional objectives, advantages and novel features will be set forthin the description which follows or will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and detaileddescription which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a ribbon rod assembly showing anembodiment of a ribbon rod body in an unassembled state;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the ribbon rod assembly showing anotherembodiment of the ribbon rod body in an unassembled state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the ribbon rodassembly shown in FIG. 1A in an assembled state;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the ribbon rod body shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is an opposite bottom view of the ribbon rod body shown in FIG.3A;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the ribbon rod assembly with both returnsengaged to a wall;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the ribbon rod assembly with one return engagedto the wall and the other return engaged to a curtain rod;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the ribbon rod assembly with one return engagedto the wall and the other return engaged to a window header;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a window with side panels supported by theribbon rod assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a window with side panels supported by theribbon rod assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a window with side panels supported by theribbon rod assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an end bracket;

FIG. 11 is an opposing rear view of the end bracket;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the end bracket rotated 90 degrees from theview shown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the sequence of engaging and securing aretention hook through a wall;

FIG. 14 illustrates the method for engaging the fabric to the ribbon rodbody;

FIG. 15 illustrates the method for engaging the ribbon rod body to theend bracket;

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate an alternate method for engaging the ribbonrod body to the end brackets;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a ceiling mounted end bracket;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the ceiling mounted end bracket;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the ceiling mounted end bracket;

FIG. 20 is an opposing side view of the ceiling mounted end bracket; and

FIG. 21 is a rear view of the ceiling mounted end bracket.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements amongthe view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, various embodiments of the ribbon rodassembly are illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in FIGS. 1-16B.In one embodiment the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be used to hang andsupport a fabric 9 in a manner that forms complete vertical folds alongthe entire length of the fabric 9 as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. Inanother embodiment, the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be adapted to haveboth left and right returns secured to a wall 12, window header 7, orceiling (not shown) through a bracket system. In one embodiment, onereturn of the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be hung directly on a curtainrod 14 supporting a valance 46 (FIG.8) in order to support side panels48A and 48B formed from fabric 9. As used herein the term “return”refers to the end portions of the ribbon rod assembly 10 that contact,directly or indirectly, the wall 12, window header 7 or curtain rod 14in order to support the ribbon rod assembly 10. In the alternative,vertical blinds, mini blinds, wood blinds or any other type of blindsmay be used as a substitute for curtain rod 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 7, the structure and configuration of theribbon rod assembly 10 will be discussed. The ribbon rod assembly 10 mayinclude a left-sided ribbon rod body 16 (FIG. 1A) having a curved orsinusoidal configuration adapted for supporting a fabric 9, such as sidepanel 48A, along one portion of a window 5. In another embodiment, theribbon rod assembly 10 may also include a right-sided ribbon rod body16B (FIG. 1B) having the exact same curved or sinusoidal configurationas ribbon rod body 16 that is adapted to support a fabric 9, such asside panel 48B, along an opposite portion of window 5. For purposes ofdescribing similar features related to both the ribbon rod body 16 andribbon rod body 16B reference will be made only to ribbon rod body 16.

As shown, ribbon rod body 16 has an elongated curved portion 26 (FIG. 2)having a plurality of opposing curves 44A and 44B defined between firstand second end portions 22 and 24. In addition, a pair of end brackets18 are adapted to be engaged to first and second end portions 22 and 24,respectively, in order to engage the ribbon rod body 16 to the wall 9,window header 7 and/or curtain rod 14 as shall be discussed in greaterdetail below.

As shown in FIG. 1A, first end portion 22 of ribbon rod body 16 definesa terminal slot 36 and a lateral curving slot 38 adapted to act as a“left-sided” ribbon rod assembly 10 when ribbon rod assembly 10 is usedin an arrangement where a curtain rod 14 supports the valance 46 suchthat the curving slot 38 may be hung directly on the curtain rod 14. Inone embodiment, the lateral curving slot 38 of the first end portion 22defines a larger curved portion 66 in communication with a smallercurved portion 68. The larger curved portion 66 of the lateral curvingslot 38 is adapted to engage the curtain rod 14, by being hung directlyon the curtain rod 14, while the smaller curved portion 68 may beadapted to engage a screw or pin (not shown) inserted through eitherhole 52A or hole 52B of each pair of end brackets 18 when securing arespective end bracket 18 to either end portion 22 or 24 in order tosecure the ribbon rod assembly 10 to either the wall 12 or window header7.

As shown, ribbon rod body 16A (FIG. 1B) is a mirror copy of ribbon rodbody 16 (FIG. 1A) in that ribbon rod body 16A has the first end portion22 defining the lateral curving slot 38 on the left side of ribbon rodbody 16A, while ribbon rod body 16 has the lateral curving slot 38defined on the right side of ribbon rod body 16. Conversely, ribbon rodbody 16 has the second end portion 24 with the lateral terminal slot 34and lateral slot 36 on the left side of body 16, while ribbon rod body16A has the second end portion 24 with the lateral terminal slot 34 andlateral slot 36 on the right side of body 16A. As such, ribbon rod body16 may be used to engage the left portion of curtain rod 14, whileribbon rod body 16A may be used to engage the right portion of curtainrod 14 when the ribbon rod assembly 10 is used in an arrangement thatrequires a curtain rod 14, such as when a valance 46 is being hung.

As further shown in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, one embodiment of the elongatedcurved portion 26 has six outward curves 44A interposed between thefirst and second end portions 22 and 24 that communicate with fiveopposing inward curves 44B for collectively defining the curved orsinusoidal configuration of the ribbon rod body 16. However, otherembodiments of ribbon rod body 16 may define any of a plurality ofcurves 44A and 44B.

It is this curved or sinusoidal configuration of the elongated curvedportion 26 that creates the complete vertical folds 60 (FIG. 7) alongthe entire length of fabric 9 after the fabric 9 has been engaged to theribbon rod body 16 as shall be discussed in greater detail below. Thisengagement is accomplished by inserting either the first end portion 22or the second end portion 24 through a sewn pocket 58 that is formedalong the horizontal upper portion of fabric 9 as shown in FIGS. 14 and15 such that complete vertical folds 60 are created due to the curved orsinusoidal configuration of the elongated curved portion 26. In oneembodiment, the fabric 9 may have a sewn-in pocket 58 along either orboth of the upper and lower portions of the fabric 9 in order to engagethe ribbon rod body 16.

As noted above, the first and second end portions 22 and 24 of ribbonrod body 16 may be engaged to a pair of end brackets 18 in order tosecure either one or both of the first and second end portions 22 and 24to a wall 12 or window header 7 during the assembly and engagement ofthe ribbon rod assembly 10. In particular, one embodiment of the ribbonrod assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 shows the first and second endportions 22 and 24 being engaged to respective end brackets 18 in orderto engage both returns of the ribbon rod body 16 to wall 12. Thisembodiment of the ribbon rod assembly 10 is adapted to be engageddirectly to a wall 12, such as dry wall, using a retaining hook 8 (FIG.13A) to support the ribbon rod assembly 10 as shall be discussed ingreater detail below.

Another embodiment of the ribbon rod assembly 10 illustrated in FIG. 5shows ribbon rod body 16 with the second end portion 24 secured to wall12 through end bracket 18 while first end portion 22 is directly hung oncurtain rod 14. This embodiment of the ribbon rod assembly 10 allows theribbon rod assembly 10 to be engaged to either side of a curtain rod 14when a curtain rod 14 is used to hang the valance 46 above window 5.Finally, an embodiment of the ribbon rod assembly 10 illustrated in FIG.6 shows second end portion 24 engaged to wall 12 through end bracket 18while first end portion 22 is engaged to window header 7 through anotherend bracket 18. In this way, the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be adaptedto be secured to both sides of the window header 7.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12 and 15, each end bracket 18 includes anL-shaped body 39 defining a hanging portion 40 adapted to engage eitherthe wall 12 or window header 7 using retaining hooks 8 or other suitablemeans of attachment and a support portion 42 adapted to engage eitherend portion 22 or 24 of ribbon rod body 16. As shown, support portion 42includes opposing depending flanges 74 that collectively define achannel 72 adapted to secure end portion 22 or 24 in either in full orpartial insertion positions corresponding to holes 52A and 52B,respectively, defined along the support portion 42. In addition, thehanging portion 40 includes opposing outward flanges 76 that provide asurface for contacting and spacing apart either the wall 12 or windowheader 7 from the end bracket 18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hanging portion of the L-shapedbody 39 defines a plurality of holes 50 adapted to engage one or moreretention hooks 8 or other attachment means, such as a screw or nail,suitable for securing end brackets 18 against a supporting surface, suchas a wall 12 or window header 7. The retention hooks 8 engaged to wall12 or the screws or nails engaged to the window header 7 are to supportthe combined weight of fabric 9 and ribbon rod body 16 without bendingor pulling out the end brackets 18 from the supporting surface.

In one embodiment, either first or second end portions 22 or 24 may befully inserted into channel 72 of end bracket 18 such that either thelateral slot 34 of end portion 24 or the lateral curving slot 38 of endportion 22 are aligned with hole 52A. A pin or screw (not shown) maythen be inserted through the aligned hole 52A to secure either endportion 22 or 24 in the fully inserted position relative to end bracket18. In another embodiment, either end portion 22 or 24 may be placed ina partially inserted position into channel 72 such that either thelateral slot 34 or the lateral curving slot 38 are aligned with hole 52Bsuch that either end portion 22 or 24 is in the partially insertedposition relative to end bracket 18. In the partially inserted position,the ribbon rod body 16 is spaced farther away from end brackets 18relative to fully inserted position wherein the ribbon rod body 16 isspaced closer to the end brackets 18. In this way, the ribbon rodassembly 10 may support the fabric 9 either closer or farther from thewindow 5.

FIGS. 4-9 illustrate three different aspects of supporting the fabric 9as briefly described above. As shown in FIG. 4 and 7, the ribbon rodassembly 10 may have both returns engaged to the wall 12 on one side ofwindow 5 through end brackets 18 that secure end portions 22 and 24 tothe wall 12 by retention hooks 8. In one embodiment, the method forsecuring the ribbon rod assembly 10 to wall 12 on opposing portions ofwindow 5 requires that the wall 12 be made from dry wall in order topermit insertion and retention of one or more retention hooks 8 throughwall 12.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the retention hook 8 used to secure theend brackets 18 to wall 12 will be discussed. One embodiment of theretention hook 8 includes a body 54 that defines a curved middle portion63 interposed between a hook-shaped proximal portion 62 adapted toengage the end bracket 18 through one or more holes 50 and a pointeddistal portion 64 adapted to facilitate insertion of the retention hook8 through wall 12, such as dry wall, and contact the interior portion ofwall 12 in a biased position. If the user desires to secure the ribbonrod assembly 10 directly to the wall 12, the user takes the pointeddistal portion 64 of the retention hook 8 and inserts portion 64completely through wall 12. As the user is inserting the pointed distalportion 64 through wall 12 along direction A (FIG. 13A) the retentionhook 8 is twisted through the wall 12 and the pointed distal portion 64oriented in direction B (FIG. 13B) such that the pointed distal portion64 contacts the interior portion of wall 12 in a biased position due tothe inherent flexibility of the retention hook 8. This procedure ofinserting and engaging the retention hook 8 to wall 12 is repeated foras many retention hooks 8 required to support end brackets 18. In oneembodiment, the retention hook 8 may be a HERCULES HOOK™ that iscommonly sold in the interior design market, however other hanger orhook arrangements for supporting the combined weight of the ribbon rodbody 16 and fabric 9 are contemplated.

After two or more retention hooks 8 are inserted through wall 12 asdescribed above the user may then assemble the ribbon rod assembly 10.As shown in FIG. 14, the user inserts one end of the ribbon rod body 16through the pocket seam 58 sewn along the top portion of the fabric 9along direction C until the entire pocket seam 58 is engaged to theribbon rod body 16 between the first and second end portions 22 and 24.

Referring to FIG. 15, once the fabric 9 is fully engaged to the ribbonrod body 16 as described above such that complete vertical folds 60 areformed by the fabric 9 the user may then engage the end brackets 18 tothe retention hooks 8 by inserting a respective retention hook 8 througha respective hole 50 of end bracket 18. Once both end brackets 18 aresecured to the wall 12 through retention hooks 8 on respective opposingportions of the window 5, the ribbon rod body 16 which is supporting thefabric 9 may be engaged to the end brackets 18 by inserting the endportion 22 into the channel 72 of one end bracket 18 and the other endportion 24 into the channel 72 of the other end bracket 20 as shown inFIG. 15. In this embodiment, either ribbon rod body 16 or 16A may beutilized on either side of window 5. As described above, the endportions 22 and 24 may be fully or partially inserted into respectiveend brackets 18 and then a pin or screw may be inserted through eitherhole 52A or 52B in order to secure end portions 22 and 24 with therespective end brackets 18 in either the full or partially insertedpositions.

This procedure of securing the ribbon rod assembly 10 to the left sideof window 5 may be duplicated for the right side of the window 5 so thata respective ribbon rod assembly 10 supporting a side panel 48A or 48Bmay be secured to opposing portions of the window 5 as illustrated inFIG. 7. Although the method of assembling and securing the ribbon rodassembly 10 is described above, the sequence of securing the retentionhooks 8, attaching the fabric 9 to the ribbon rod body 16 and securingthe ribbon rod body 16 to either respective end brackets 18 may beaccomplished in any suitable sequence. For example, the retention hooks8 may be engaged to the wall 12 after the fabric 9 has been engaged tothe ribbon rod body 16 or end brackets 18 may be engaged to the ribbonrod body 16 before being engaged to the retention hooks 8.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, a method of mounting the ribbon rod assembly10 on both sides of the valance 46 supported by a curtain rod 14 isillustrated. In this method, the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be securedto the left and right portions of the curtain rod 14 that supports thevalance 46 across the top portion of window 5. As shown, ribbon rod body16 may be engaged to the left portion of the curtain rod 14 forsupporting a left side panel 48A of fabric 9, while ribbon rod body 16Amay be engaged to the right portion of the curtain rod 14 for supportinga right side panel 48B of fabric 9. To assemble, the user engages thefabric 9 with the respective ribbon rod body 16 and 16A in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 14. The user then engages the end portion 24 withthe end bracket 18 that is mounted to the wall 12 as described above,while the lateral curving portion 38 of end portion 22 is engaged orotherwise hung on the left portion of the curtain rod 14. In particular,the larger portion 68 of lateral curving portion 38 is hung to thecurtain rod 14. Similarly, the user also engages the end portion 24 ofribbon rod body 16A with end bracket 18 that is mounted to the wall 12as noted above and then engages or otherwise hangs the lateral curvingportion 38 to the right portion of the curtain rod 14 in order tocomplete the arrangement of supporting the left and ridge side panels48A and 48B shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, a method of mounting the ribbon rod assembly10 to the window heater 7 is illustrated. The ribbon rod assembly 10 mayhave one return engaged to the wall 12 while the other return is engagedto the window header 7. As described above, the user engages the fabric9 with the ribbon rod body 16 or 16A. The user may then engage one endbracket 18 to the wall 12 and the other end bracket 18 to the windowheater 7. The ribbon rod body 16 is engaged to the left side of thewindow header 7 by securing end portion 22 to the end bracket 18 whilesecuring the end portion 24 to the other end bracket 18 secured to thewindow header 7. This procedure is duplicated for the other ribbon rodbody 16 or 16A such that the one end portion 22 or 24 is secured to theright side of the window header 7 through end bracket 18 and the otherend portion 22 or 24 is secured to the wall 12 through the other endbracket 18. In this method of attachment, either end portion 22 or 24 ofribbon rod body 16 or 16A may be used to support either side panel 48Aor 48B. In one embodiment, the end brackets 18 may be secured to thewindow header 7 using nails or screws (not shown). In addition tosecuring the ribbon rod assembly 10 to both sides of the window 5, otherembodiments contemplate that the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be securedto the wall above the window 5 or the ceiling proximate the window 5.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a method for assembling anotherembodiment of the ribbon rod assembly, designated 10A, for securing theend portions 22 of the ribbon rod body 16B to an alternate embodiment ofthe end brackets 18A is illustrated. In this embodiment, end brackets18A each define an identical L-shaped body 69 having a support portion71 defining a plurality of holes 78 adapted to engage end portions 22 ofthe ribbon rod body 16B. In addition, the support portion 71 of endbracket 18A communicates with a hanging portion 73 defining a pluralityof holes 79 adapted for securing the end brackets 18A to the wall 12 orwindow header 7 as described above, using retention hooks 8, screws ornails (not shown).

As shown, the ribbon rod body 16B may be engaged to the end brackets 18Aby first engaging screws 56 through one or more of the plurality ofholes 78. The user then engages the terminal slots 32 and 36 of the endportions 22 to the screws 56 secured to the end brackets 18A asillustrated in FIG. 16A. Once so engaged, the ribbon rod body 16B ispivoted about the screw 56 engaged to the terminal slots 32 and 36 untilthe lateral slot 34 and the curving slot 38 become engaged to otherrespective screw 56.

In one embodiment, the ribbon rod body 16 may be made from a metallicmaterial, such as stainless steel, however other flexible metallic andplastic materials suitable for supporting the weight of the fabric 9 iscontemplated. The end brackets 18 may also be made from a similarmetallic or plastic material, while the retaining hook 8 may be madefrom a flexible metallic material capable of bending yet strong enoughto completely penetrate through the wall 12 and support the combinedweight of the ribbon rod assembly 10 and fabric 9 once secured in abiased position against wall 12.

In another embodiment, the ribbon rod body 16 or 16A may be engaged to apair of ceiling mounted end brackets 19 adapted to be secured from theceiling (not shown) proximate the window 5. Referring to FIGS. 17-21,the ceiling mounted end bracket 19 may include a body 81 having asecuring portion 82 and a hanging portion 84 with a slot 108 definedbetween portions 82 and 84 adapted to secure fabric 9. The securingportion 82 of the end bracket 19 is adapted to engage the body 81 to theceiling, while the hanging portion 84 is adapted to secure the fabric 9and ribbon rod body 16 to the end bracket 19. In particular, thesecuring portion 82 may define a pair of holes 88 adapted to receivebolts (not shown) that mount the securing portion 82 to the ceiling. Thehanging portion 84 defines a channel 106 adapted to engage the ribbonrod body 16. The hanging portion 84 further defines a pair of threadedholes 88 adapted to engage a respective thumbscrew (not shown) to eitherthe first end portion 22 or second end portion 24 of the ribbon rod body16. As such, the thumbscrews may be engaged through the threaded holes88 aligned with either the terminal slot 36 and curving lateral slot 38,respectively, of the first end portion or the terminal slot 34 and thelateral slot 34, respectively, of the second end portion 24 in order tosecure the ribbon rod body 16 to the ceiling mounted end bracket 19.

In one aspect, the ribbon rod assembly 10 may be used with swags (notshown) that have ready-made pleats already formed in the fabric 9 thatmay also form separate rod pockets adapted to receive a curtain rod 14or the like for hanging the swag.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particularembodiments have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changesand modifications are within the scope and teachings of this inventionas defined in the claims appended hereto.

1. A ribbon rod assembly comprising: a ribbon rod body, said ribbon rodbody having a curved portion defining a plurality of undulating opposingcurves interposed between first and second end portions, said pluralityof undulating opposing curves each defining side portions, wherein eachof said side portions being in parallel arrangement with one another,said first end portion defining a terminal slot and a lateral curvingslot, while said second end portion defines a terminal slot and alateral slot; and a pair of end brackets adapted to engage either saidfirst or second end portions, each of said pair of end brackets definingan L-shaped body with one portion of said L-shaped body being engaged tosaid ribbon rod body and another portion of said L-shaped body beingengaged to a support surface.
 2. The ribbon rod assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the lateral curving slot further defines a smallercurved portion in communication with a larger curved portion.
 3. Theribbon rod assembly according to claim 2, wherein the lateral curvingslot is adapted to be engaged to a curtain rod.
 4. The ribbon rodassembly according to claim 3, wherein the larger curved portion isadapted to be engaged to the curtain rod.
 5. The ribbon rod assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said one portion of said L-shaped bodybeing engaged to said ribbon rod body is a support portion.
 6. Theribbon rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein said another portionof said L-shaped body being engaged to said support surface is a hangingportion.
 7. The ribbon rod assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidone portion of said L-shaped body defines a plurality of holes.
 8. Theribbon rod assembly according to claim 7, wherein at least one retentionhook is adapted to engage at least one of said plurality of holes forsupporting said ribbon rod body to a wall.
 9. The ribbon rod assemblyaccording to claim 8, wherein a portion of said at least one retentionhook is adapted to be inserted through a wall.
 10. The ribbon rodassembly according to claim 5, wherein said support portion includes apair of opposing depending flanges that collectively defines a channel.11. The ribbon rod assembly according to claim 10, wherein said channelis adapted to engage said first or second end portions of said ribbonrod body when engaging said ribbon rod body to said end bracket.
 12. Theribbon rod assembly according to claim 5, wherein said support portiondefines first and second holes, wherein engagement of the first holewith either the lateral slot or the lateral curving slot places thefirst or second end portion in a fully inserted position relative tosaid end bracket.
 13. The ribbon rod assembly according to claim 12,wherein engagement of the second hole with either the lateral slot orthe lateral curving slot places the first or second end portion in apartially inserted position relative to said end bracket.
 14. A ribbonrod body and fabric arrangement comprising: a ribbon rod body having anundulating wave-like configuration with a plurality of opposing curves,said plurality of opposing curves each defining respective sideportions, wherein each of said side portions being in parallelarrangement with one another, said plurality of opposing curves beinginterposed between opposing end portions with one of said end portionsdefining a terminal slot and lateral slot while the other of said endportions defining a terminal slot and a lateral curving slot; and afabric adapted for engagement with said ribbon rod body, said fabricdefining at least one sewn-in pocket defined along the length of saidfabric, said at least one sewn-in pocket being adapted for engagementwith said plurality of opposing curves of said ribbon rod body such thatsaid upper portion and said lower portion of said fabric define verticalfolds.
 15. The ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement according to claim14, wherein said fabric defines an upper portion and a lower portion,said upper portion defining said sewn-in pocket adapted to engage saidribbon rod body, said at least one sewn-in pocket being adapted forengagement with said plurality of opposing curves of said ribbon rodbody such that said upper portion and said lower portion of said fabricdefine complete vertical folds.
 16. The ribbon rod body and fabricarrangement according to claim 15, wherein said upper portion of saidfabric includes said sewn-in pocket adapted to engage said ribbon rodbody.
 17. The ribbon rod body and fabric arrangement according to claim14, wherein said opposing end portions are adapted to engage a pair ofend brackets, said pair of end brackets each having a body including asecuring portion and a hanging portion, said securing portion adapted toengage a ceiling and said hanging portion adapted to engage said ribbonrod body.
 18. A method of hanging and supporting a fabric to a curtainrod comprising: providing a ribbon rod body having an undulatingwave-like configuration with a plurality of opposing curves interposedbetween opposing end portions, said plurality of opposing curves eachdefining side portions, wherein each of said side portions being inparallel arrangement with one another, one of said end portions definingat least a lateral slot while the other of said end portions defining atleast a lateral curving slot; providing a fabric defining a sewn-inpocket extending along the length of said fabric; providing a pair ofend brackets, each of said pair of end brackets defining an L-shapedbody having a support portion in communication with a hanging portion;inserting either one of said first or second end portions of said ribbonrod body through said sewn-in pocket of said fabric until said pluralityof opposing curves is fully disposed along the length of said fabric;and securing at least one of said pair of end brackets to at least oneof said first and second end portions and then securing the at least oneof said end brackets secured to at least one of said first and secondend portions to a support surface.
 19. The method according to claim 18,wherein said support surface is a wall.
 20. The method according toclaim 18, wherein said support surface is a window header.
 21. Themethod according to claim 18, further comprising securing said lateralcurving slot directly to a curtain rod.
 22. The method according toclaim 18, wherein said fabric defines an upper portion and a lowerportion, said sewn-in pocket being defined along the length of saidupper portion.
 23. The method according to claim 18, wherein said fabricdefines an upper portion and a lower portion, said sewn-in pocket beingdefined along the length of said upper portion.